The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza is having a noticeable impact on Jordan’s tourism industry, with concerns of a ripple effect. Stakeholders have reported a significant drop in hotel occupancy rates across the country.
Hussein Helalat, the Vice President and Spokesperson of the Jordan Hotel Association (JHA), shared with The Jordan Times that they initially expected hotel occupancy rates in Jordan to reach 95% throughout October. However, the situation took a turn for the worse after October 7, following the launch of Hamas’ Al Qassam Brigades’ operation “Al Aqsa Flood” in Israel.
As a result, many governments have issued travel advisories, warning their citizens to avoid non-essential travel to countries in the region, including Jordan. This led to the cancellation of approximately 50% of hotel reservations for October. In November, the occupancy rate was expected to reach 80%, but around 60% of previously confirmed reservations were canceled, well below the seasonal average.
The most affected hotels are those in Petra, which typically attracts European and American tourists during this time of the year. Figures from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in 2022 indicate that there are a total of 607 hotels operating in Jordan, with around 30,000 rooms and over 55,000 beds.
The tourism sector in Jordan employs approximately 43,888 workers, as per the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. In 2022, it was reported that there are 21,835 workers in hotels, including 18,447 Jordanians, and 20,770 workers in tourist restaurants, including 14,447 Jordanians.
Mohammed Al Qasem, Chairman of the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Skills Council, noted that the decline in hotel occupancy rates will have an impact on workers in the sector. Many of them receive a percentage of the service charge paid by customers, along with bonuses during high season periods, which include September, October, and November.
However, Qasem expressed optimism about the resilience of Jordan’s national tourism sector, expecting a rapid recovery. He emphasized that Jordan remains a safe and attractive tourism destination, with the primary concern being the cessation of the ongoing conflict to alleviate the suffering in Gaza.
Sahar, a Jordanian mother of three, shared her perspective, explaining that she and her husband had canceled their planned family trip to Aqaba in October out of solidarity with the people of Gaza. She stressed the importance of helping those in need through humanitarian aid and prayer during these difficult times.
Sahar further expressed her heartache at the tragic images of innocent children in Gaza, similar in age to her own, who have been affected by Israeli airstrikes, and she empathized with the anguish of their mothers.
